Michigan Wolverines: Boston College Eagles

Just a few days after stubbing its toe on the field, the Big Ten conference will try to right the ship in the recruiting world.

Brad Bournival/ESPNESPN Junior 300 running back Larry Scott will make an unofficial visit to the Horseshoe this weekend.

From official visits to commitments, here’s a look at a few programs that highlight a busy time in this week’s Big Ten storylines.

Buckeye leafs

The fact Ohio State opened as 57-point favorites against Florida A&M didn’t scare off some big unofficial visitors, as ESPN Junior 300 running back Larry Scott -- L.J. for short -- out of Hubbard (Ohio) High School will lead a group of three big names with unofficial visits to the Horseshoe.

1. Boston College head coach Steve Addazio described in his press conference this week his instructions to offensive coordinator Ryan Day not to gamble this season when his offense is in the red zone. The reason: kicker Nate Freese, who made 18-of-20 field goals last season (all 16 inside of 40 yards). “The last thing you want to do is get inside field goal range and then somehow take a sack or something and lose field goal range,” Addazio said. “When you know you have that kicker you have that mindset where you don’t want to give away points. That’s how I view it now when I get there.”

2. The Notre Dame-Michigan game features quarterbacks who toiled in the shadow of more accomplished players. The Irish’s Tommy Rees, who lost the starting job last season to Everett Golson, looked polished and comfortable against Temple. The Wolverines’ Devin Gardner, who replaced the injured Denard Robinson last season, has been astounding. According ESPN Stats & Info, in six starts, Gardner has taken Michigan into the red zone 22 times and scored 19 touchdowns. That’s a Miguel-Cabrera-like number.

3. Guess the author of this Facebook post Tuesday: “Woke up feisty and looking forward to traveling to Athens on Sat. If you know fans who act more like they’re at a tennis match or watching a round of golf please buy their ticket and give it to someone on Adderall who’s willing not to take it on Sat. If you don’t have the stamina to stand on your feet & yell for several hours please give your ticket to someone who can. If you let down after the 1st sign of adversity, please sell your ticket. I’m tired of other fans out yelling and out lasting us. We MUST be a factor Saturday! That is all.” Aaron Murray’s mother Lauren wrote that post. Dawg fans, you have been challenged.

Paramus (N.J.) Catholic lineman Juwann Bushell-Beatty was not guaranteed a starting spot entering his junior season. His football career began only two years prior, and there was only hope from the coaching staff he would lock down the left tackle spot during preseason camp.

A breakout junior campaign followed, and the ESPN 150 lineman now has double-digit offers.

The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect their overall prospect ranking.

ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.

Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.

Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.

ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”

A top 10 has emerged for touted running back Jonathan Hilliman (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep), and now some separation is starting to take place among those schools.

“The top five has definitely broken apart but not severely far,” Hilliman said. “I’m not counting out the other schools, depending on what they bring to the table -- if it's academics or great environment or great coaching staff.”

On his first visit to Michigan State, DeShone Kizer (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) fell in love with the campus. On his second visit, it was pretty much the same, except it was the atmosphere and fans that made the biggest impression.

The 2014 dual-threat quarterback already holds eight offers, and it might not be long before Michigan State becomes team No. 9 and makes Kizer only the second quarterback the Spartans have offered in the 2014 class.

“They said they’re going to meet up the next couple games and come see me play and that I’m high up on their list and want me to be a Spartan,” Kizer said. “I feel great vibes from the coaches and the relationships are there.”

Wide receiver Dionte Taylor (Davie, Fla./University School) was proud to help represent the state of Florida in Sunday's 33-14 victory over Trotwood (Ohio) Madison.

Now Taylor, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior, says the expectations for University School have been raised even higher.

"It was a lot of fun to play on national television and know that so many people were watching us," Taylor said. "I think we were the only team in Florida to play outside the state last weekend, so it was good to represent.

CINCINNATI -- Baltimore Gilman sends several players to BCS colleges every year, and Melvin Keihn is already one of Gilman’s top 2014 players and guaranteed to have more than a dozen offers, likely by the end of this year.

A host of ACC programs including Maryland, Miami, North Carolina and Virginia have offered, and West Virginia has also extended a scholarship to the 6-foot-3, 225-pound outside linebacker.

One program yet to offer but looking at Keihn is Michigan, and there is a very good chance Keihn makes it to Ann Arbor this season with 2013 Wolverines commit Henry Poggi.

It is coming down to the wire for ESPN 150 cornerback Kendall Fuller (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Mercy). The No. 20 prospect in the country, Fuller said he plans to choose between Clemson and Virginia Tech on Sunday at noon, during the Champion Gridiron Kings event at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Fuller visited Clemson last weekend, and said the trip did little to change how he felt about the Tigers.

"I had already pretty much fell in love with the school, so I just went up there to spend more time with the players and the coaches," Fuller said.

The 2014 class is already picking up offers and gaining interest from top programs, in what seems like a faster pace than ever. It's almost the norm now for sophomores to hear from schools and rack up the offers.

One prospect who is well on his way to building a long list of scholarship offers is 2014 safety C.J. Reavis (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale). The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back already holds offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College, but is hearing from other programs as well.

"I talk to Michigan a lot. They said they're supposed to offer me by the end of the month," he said. "Maryland said they would offer me soon, and Duke."

The offensive line is a big need for Michigan in the 2013 class. Since at least four scholarship offensive linemen will be leaving the roster, the staff will most likely look to add the same amount of recruits for this class, if not more.

One offensive line prospect who recently received a Michigan offer is 6-foot-5, 290-pound John Montelus (Everett, Mass./Everett). The Michigan offer adds to an already hefty list including Florida, UConn, Boston College, NC State and West Virginia among others.

"Michigan (was an offer he was hoping for) because it is a really big school with good academics, good football team and great fans," he said. "I've been talking to Coach (Darrell) Funk, and I'm going to take a Michigan visit soon."